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Poetry column: Honor fallen law enforcement officers

By MICHAEL HOOVER For The Evening Sun

Posted:
05/12/2008 03:19:46 PM EDT

If it weren't for mothers, the world would not lose its harsh edge. Moms have a way to soften the blow of human gales and the globe's disasters. They are the first defense we have, our protectors, our nurturers under the laws of nature. A blesséd day to all women who mother!

This day also marks the beginning of a week-long celebration of women and men who stand as our first defense against those who choose to break the law. They, too, soften the blows of human maelstrom and at times volunteer to face off with nature; more often, they just do their daily job of nurturing the rest of us in compliance with the law.

May 11 to 17 is National Police Week 2008. In 1962 President John F. Kennedy designated May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which that day fell as National Police Week. As most appointed times when we are provided reasons to celebrate, this commemoration is one that deserves special merit especially in light of the Philadelphia tragedy involving Pa. Sgt. Stephen Liczbinski this past week.

Fallen officers for the past year and designated officers from previous years will be honored at a vigil annually attended by 20,000 people. The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund joins others to present this annual Peace Officers Memorial Service in Washington, D.C. The organization will celebrate the 20th annual Candlelight Vigil on Tuesday, May 13, at 8 p.m.

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at the national memorial.

All of this information was researched after a poem was sent to me last weekend by Cpl. Bob Heuisler, Maryland State Police (Retired). Heuisler included the brief note of introduction: "Time again to honor our fallen law enforcement officers. They are our first line of defense in the war on terror!"

Heuisler writes also that he began writing poetry several years ago as a way of getting some of his feelings down on paper, usually writing about a friend or family member. In addition to law enforcement, he was a member of the Manchester (Md.) Volunteer Fire Department. He was a member of the Maryland State Police from 1987 until his retirement in 2000.

Heuisler writes that he "had spent the previous 10 years working 'undercover' in various assignments from being a 'narc' in the Drug Enforcement Division to working as a 'hit man' for murder-for-hire investigations in the Criminal Enforcement Command. [He] saw a side of society that really made an impact on [his] life, both professionally and personally. [He] also realized that very few people outside of law enforcement understand the sacrifices made by someone who works in a covert capacity."

"This poem was written shortly after one of my fellow Troopers, Ed Toatley, made the ultimate sacrifice. Ed was gunned down during an undercover assignment in Washington, D.C. while working on a federal task force. I would like to dedicate this poem to Ed and also to everyone that works 'undercover' in law enforcement. It is truly one of the important jobs that police do on a daily basis ... they are our first line of defense!"